Housing Repair Line Item Data – API

Request for Information (RFI)

This RFI is issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Individual Assistance, Service Delivery Branch (SDB) to gather information for a potential acquisition. FEMA requires construction cost estimating software that utilizes R.S. Means branded data. The objective is to convert FEMA's Housing Repair dataset into an Application Programming Interface (API) protocol. This dataset contains unit costs for home repair components across all phases of residential construction and will support FEMA in establishing accurate repair costs for future Presidential Declarations and providing financial assistance to disaster survivors.

FEMA intends to procure R.S. Means CostWorks data under a brand name specification, citing FAR 16.505(a)(4)(i) or (ii). The justification is that R.S. Means is the only source capable of providing this data due to its unique, highly specialized nature and proprietary status, and that alternative products could lead to interoperability and compatibility issues.

• RFI Response Deadline: March 05, 2026, 11:00 AM Eastern Standard Time.
• Submission Method: Electronically to Lassey Wilson-Bahun at lassey.wilsonbahun@fema.dhs.gov.
• Subject Line: "RFI Response for (FEMA Individual Assistance (IA), Service Delivery Branch (SDB) - Consolidated Construction Cost Estimating Software (RS Means licenses)"
• Format: Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) or Adobe Acrobat (.pdf).
• Page Limit: 15 pages (excluding cover page), with specific font and formatting requirements.
• Required Content: Cover Page (Company Name, Address, UEI, POC, Business Size, GSA Schedule info), Contractor Capability Statement (max 4 pages), and Contractor RFI Responses to questions (max 6 pages).
• Cost: Respondents are solely responsible for all costs associated with their RFI response.

The RFI includes 17 detailed questions covering:

• Data coverage (geographic, cost variations, updates)

• Cost estimation methodology (unit costs, assemblies, parametric models)

• Infrastructure types supported

• Repair vs. new construction cost differences

• Disaster recovery support (debris removal, infrastructure repair)

• Licensing, scalability, and pricing structure

• Government contracting vehicle availability (GSA Schedule)

• Support for surge requirements

• NAICS: 513210 - Software Publishers

• PSC: 7A21 – IT and Telecom - Business Application Software

• POP: 4 months from date of award (This is for the potential future contract, not the RFI response itself).

• This RFI is for information gathering purposes only and is not an offer or commitment to contract.

• Respondents should identify any proprietary information.

• Potential organizational conflicts of interest must be addressed.

Statement of Work (SOW)

To convert the FEMA Housing Repair dataset into an Application Programming Interface (API) protocol. This dataset provides unit costs for home repair components across all phases of residential construction, aiding FEMA in establishing accurate repair costs for disaster survivors.

• Convert the FEMA Housing Repair dataset (provided in Attachment A) into an API protocol.

• The dataset includes unit costs for home repair components for residential construction.

• The output will support FEMA in determining financial assistance for disaster survivors.

• Task One: Line Item Database: Develop the FEMA Housing Repair dataset in an API format.

• The API will display fields including: Item ID, Category, Assistance Code, Description, Help Text, Unit of Measure, Medium Cost, High Cost, and CSI codes/formulas.

• Contractor Personnel: Provide qualified personnel, including a designated Project Manager (considered Key Personnel).

• Period of Performance: Four-month base period from the date of award.

• Place of Performance: Contractor's facilities.

• Post Award Conference: Attend a conference within 5 calendar days of award.

• Quality Management Plan: Establish and maintain a quality control system.

• Progress Meetings: Be available to meet with the COR upon request.

• Section 508 Compliance: Ensure all Information and Communications Technology (ICT) deliverables conform to applicable Section 508 standards.

1. Line-Item Dataset via API protocol (due 12 weeks after award of task order).
2. Post Award Conference (due 5 days after award).

• No access to classified or sensitive information is required.
• Contractor must furnish all necessary facilities, materials, equipment, and services, except for Government Furnished Resources (Attachment A).
• Deliverables will be reviewed by the COR, with a 5-day review period and a 3-day period for corrections.

Statement of Work (SOW)

To convert the FEMA Housing Repair dataset into an Application Programming Interface (API) protocol. This dataset will provide unit costs for home repair components across all phases of residential construction, supporting FEMA in establishing accurate repair costs for future Presidential Declarations and providing financial assistance to disaster survivors.

• Convert the FEMA Housing Repair dataset (Attachment A) into an API format.

• The dataset includes fields such as Item ID, Category, Assistance Code, Description, Help Text, Unit of Measure, Medium Cost, High Cost, and CSI codes.

• The contractor will use provided line item descriptions from FEMA (Attachment A) to develop the dataset.

• The contractor must provide the FEMA Housing Repair dataset in an API format.

• Deliverables will be reviewed by the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) within 5 calendar days.

• Corrections and redeliveries must be made within 3 calendar days.

• Base period of performance is four months from the date of award.

• Primary place of performance is the Contractor's facilities.

• Qualified Personnel: Contractor must provide qualified personnel.

• Continuity of Support: Required level of support must be maintained at all times.

• Project Manager: A designated Project Manager is required and considered Key Personnel.

• Post Award Conference: Required within 5 calendar days of award.

• Quality Management Plan: Contractor must establish and maintain a quality control system.

• Section 508 Compliance: All delivered products, platforms, and services deemed Information and Communications Technology (ICT) must conform to applicable Section 508 standards. This includes providing Section 508 Test Plans, Test Results, Accessibility Conformance Reports (ACRs), and other requested documentation.

• Government Furnished Resources: FEMA will provide Attachment A (line item descriptions).

• Contractor Furnished Property: Contractor must furnish all other necessary facilities, materials, equipment, and services.

Request for Information (RFI)

This RFI is issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Individual Assistance (IA), Service Delivery Branch (SDB). FEMA is seeking information to identify sources capable of providing construction Cost Estimating Software using R.S. Means branded data. The objective is to convert the FEMA Housing Repair dataset into an Application Programming Interface (API) protocol to support FEMA in establishing accurate repair costs for future Presidential Declarations and financial assistance to disaster survivors.

FEMA intends to procure RS Means CostWorks data under a brand name specification, citing FAR 16.505(a)(4)(i) or (ii). This is justified because RS Means is stated to be the only source capable of providing this unique, highly specialized data, and using alternative products could lead to interoperability and compatibility issues.

• RFI responses are due electronically to Lassey Wilson-Bahun at lassey.wilsonbahun@fema.dhs.gov by 11:00 AM Eastern Standard Time on March 05, 2026.

• The subject line of the email should be: "RFI Response for (FEMA Individual Assistance (IA), Service Delivery Branch (SDB) - Consolidated Construction Cost Estimating Software (RS Means licenses)".

• Responses must be unclassified, with proprietary information clearly marked.

• Format: Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) or Adobe Acrobat (.pdf).

• Font: Standard 11-point font (charts/graphs/tables can be 10-point).

• Page Limit: Maximum of 15 pages (excluding cover page), including images, data displays, charts, graphs, and tables.

• Content:

  • Cover Page: Company Name, Address, UEI Number, POC information, business size status, GSA Schedule/Contract information.
  • Contractor Capability Statement (max 4 pages): Summarize relevant projects and past performance.
  • Contractor RFI Responses to Questions (max 6 pages): Address specific questions provided in the RFI.

• Responses to this RFI are not offers and will not form a binding contract.

• FEMA will incur no obligations or liabilities for any costs incurred by respondents.

• Respondents are responsible for identifying any proprietary information and potential organizational conflicts of interest.

• NAICS CODE: 513210 - Software Publishers

• PRODUCT SERVICE CODE (PSC): 7A21 – IT and Telecom - Business Application Software

• POP: 4 months from date of award (This is for the potential future contract, not the RFI response).

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This Excel file, "Attachment A.xlsx", contains a detailed list of line item descriptions used for cost estimation and damage assessment, likely for FEMA-related projects. It serves as a reference for categorizing and quantifying various repair and replacement needs.

• Item ID: Unique numerical identifier for each line item.
• Category: Broad classification of the item (e.g., Room, Personal Property, Utility, Electrical, Foundation/Masonry, etc.).
• Description: A brief explanation of the item or service.
• Help Text: Detailed instructions and guidance on when and how to use each line item, including specific conditions and exclusions.
• UOM (Unit of Measure): The unit by which the item is measured (e.g., EACH, LINEAR_FEET, SQUARE_FEET, CUBIC_YARD, FLOOR_SF, WALL_SF).
• FEMA Supplied Cost: Pre-defined cost values for certain items, often marked as "No Cost Req." or with specific dollar amounts.

This document is crucial for understanding the specific cost codes and descriptions that will be used in any associated solicitations or contracts. Bidders should familiarize themselves with these line items to accurately price their proposals and to understand how work will be categorized and potentially reimbursed. It provides insight into the granular level of detail expected in cost breakdowns and damage assessments.